Die unit for punching machines



Nov. 29, 1949 F. A. BOYLE DIE UNIT FOR PUNCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. ,4, 1948 IN VEN TOR.

9/2 a ORNEY frank A 50 walla-48:.

Patented Nov. 29, 1949 STAT ES PATENT OFFICE 2,489,559 niiiUNIT Fort PiJNoHiifG MACHI'NEs 'Frank A. -Boyle, Sa;n"Diego, Gali fa as'signor t'o Consolidated Vulte'e' Aircraft 5 Corporation, San Diego, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application September 4, 1948, Serial Naiasz'a -9' Claims. 2 Cl. 164-418) This invention relates to pun'ching machines for'perforatin'g'sheet metal *and other material and"m'ore particularlytd an improved die unit utilized therewith.

An object -6f-thepresent' invention is to providein" a punching-machine a die unit'having a new andnovelconstruction, which is-readily mounted on'the punching machine for reciprocating movement-toward and'awayfromthe material'to be perforat ed,'-and which is conveniently and "readily removable.

Another "objectof thelnvention resides in'the provision of a perforating die unit havinglan improved "co'n's'tlilction*fOrthe removal of the punchihg's or slues' from the die unit as a workpiece isperrorated. I

-Another'-objet of the inv'enti'onlies in providing a perforating die 'in'iit of improved construction which maybe employed in locations difficult to work with conventional die units.

Another object of the invention is the provision of-a perforating die having a construction which resultsin a-more eflicient and effective device. M

'Other objects andfeaturesof the present invention will-be readily-apparent to those skilled in the art from the-followingspecffication and ap'pendeddrawings wherein is illustrated a preferred form of the-invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a punching and riveting machine to which the-present invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is a side elevationalview of a perrotating the unit inaccordanee with the present invention; I

' Figure 3-i'sa rear elevational view-of the invention;

'FigureA isafragmentar-y sectional view taken on line IV- IV 6fFigl1re 3;

Fig-ure 5 -is a top plan'view'ofthe invention;

Figuree is a fragmentaryelevational view of the-shaft which mounts theperforating die unit;

Figure '7 is a bottom view of the shaft of Fig ure' 3 6 and I Figure 8 isa-fra'gmentary side elev-ational view of "a modification of the in enti'o'n.

Reference will' riow b'e-ha'dw-ith -'greater articu'larit'y to the drawings wherein it is understood-that like references have been utilized to indicate like parts inthe various Views.

The resent-inv'ention is contemplated for use withmachines"adapted'toperforatematerial'su'ch as aluminum or steel, "primarily 'for preparation ofslieh' m'atria'l ferrii etili'g thereof, and which 2 maehines'convefitionally employ-punching mechanism having a reciprocatin motion.

The die unit or the present invention, for the sake of illustration,is'shown in the drawingsas appli-ed to acorivhtional punching and riveting machinewhich'machine serves first to perforate'a work-piece-and-then to head the rivets whichare'aiitomatically inserted by the machine into the perforations provided.

The-punching 'an'd riveting machine used may be' of any well known make, such as the Erco Automatic Punching and Riveting Machine, Model 1602 made b'y the Engineering and Research corporation and utilizing" the principles of Patents 1,990,998 and 2,056,559. Since it "is understood'thalt this machine is to be reg'ardeol' merely as illustrative of the type of machine-'toi'vhichthepresent invention may be applied the machine-isnm shown in detail and will not-"be described in detaiL'but will be described only in's'uch partici-ilarity'as is necessary to an understanding cit the invention.

In F'igure -1 the numeral 10 designates generallya-punc'hine and riveting machine of the type above *m'entioned and with which the present invention is capable *of being used. This machine f0" combines the (iperati'ons of perforating the warmers-riveted andautomaticallyfeeding riv-' t'sifito the perforations formed and then heading suchrivet's, the 'Va'frio'us operations being perrormed witnoiit 'I'novem'ent of the work-piece.

The machine l0 comprises, as its essential parts, a reciprocating die "assembly I I constructed-in accordance with the present invention and having', a 'die portion l2. Arivet holding assembly I3-, suitablymcuiitedfor reciprocating movement, is positionedadjacent-die assembly II and ineludes a'-rivet*'shoe I4 capable of receiving and su-ppoi tingrivets provided 'by a rivet tube [5. As well-known inpunchin'g and riveting machines of the typeherein employed both the die asser'r'ibly H andthe ri-vet holding assembly 13 aremounted-by th'e machine In so as to reciproc'ate -t'o perform the perforating and the riveting operations. Inaddition to having a reciprocatil'i'g movement the die assemm H and the rivet holdin'g asse'r'iibly 1'3 are adapted to move pivotalIy-andin'uhison on the completion of each perforating andeach riveting operation, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

"Tn-Figure 'lthe tli'e assembly II is shown positiond to locate the dieportion l2 immediately beneath a shaftforplunger 16. This shaft or pliliigr [6- 15 Suitably mounted by'machine H3 t'o' 'l'iave a reciprocating movement, and in such movement plunger it will engage and carry the di assembly [I downwardly toward a work-piece i! which is to be perforated. After the perforating operation both the plunger it and the die assembly ll return to their original position of Figure 1, after which the die assembly II and the rivet holding assembly [3 swing or rotate in unison to exchange places to locate the rivet shoe M of the rivet holding assembly l3 below the plunger I6 and thereby provide a rivet for insertion into the work-piece ll. The rivet holding assembly [3 is nOW in position to be engaged by plunger is in its reciprocating movement and will be carried thereby toward the work-piece ll. Plunger IS in this movement serves as a rivet set and causes the rivet to be inserted into its associated opening and then maintains a pressure upon the head thereof until the shank is worked. On completion of the riveting operation the rivet holding assembly l3 and rivet set or plunger it move upwardly and then the rivet holding assembly l3 and the die assembly ll once again pivot to interchange positions and return to the locations illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the die assembly I! is positioned for a perforating operation and the rivet holding assembly i3 is positioned to receive a rivet from the rivet tube l5.

To assist the members above described in the performance of the perforating and riveting operations on the work-piece l I there is provided spaced from plunger l6 and axially aligned therewith a usual tool arrangement l8 which during the perforating operation cooperates with the die assembly I l and during the riveting operation co-acts with the rivet holding assembly I3. The tool arrangement l8 comprises a stripper member 2! of generally tubular form which supports the work-piece l1 as it is being perforated and which further serves to space the work-piece I! a suflicient distance from an anvil 22 contained within the stripper member 2! to allow a rivet shank to extend thereinto its required distance below work-piece I'I before heading thereof. Within the anvil 22 is reciprocally mounted a punch 23 which during the perforating operation is projected beyond the top of anvil 22 and into and through the work-piece I! to cooperate with die portion I2 to effect piercing of the work-piece I1, and during the riveting operation is retracted and serves as a portion of the anvil head to assist in heading the shank of the rivet.

Compressed air is used in machine It to provide the power for effecting the operation of the various parts of the machine It and is derived from a source not shown. It is, of course, expressly understood that the particular construction and cooperation of the means provided in machine It for effecting the reciprocating and swinging movements of the die assembly H and the rivet holding assembly I3 and the reciprocation of the plunger-rivet set l and the punch 23 form no part of the present invention and therefore no need is had for detailing the description thereof.

The work-piece ll upon which the machine Hi acts may take the general form illustrated in Figure 1 wherein it is shown as comprising a pair of contiguous metal sheets 24 and 25. The plates 24 and 25 are shown in Figure 1 as being secured together by a plurality of conventional round head rivets 26. The rivets 26 are fitted into registering rivet receiving perforations formed in sheets 24 and 25 by the die assembly H and punch 23. Of course it is understood that rivets having various types of heads may be used, such as brazier head, flat head or countersunk head. In the case of a countersunk head, utilized in flush riveting, an appropriate die portion can readily be provided to form the dimple or recess in the work-piece for reception of the countersunk head.

The die assembly I l in the particular construc tion which is shown mounted on the machine 10 in Figure 1 and several views of which are illustrated by Figures 2 through 5 will now be described in detail. Die assembly ll consists of a unitary body portion 3! of generally Z shape which comprises a generally rectangular blocklike upper part 32 having a flat upper surface 33. As best shown in Figures 3 and 5 a generally rectangular slot 34 is cut into part 32 extending from the rear face 35 and for the full height of the part 32. Integral with block-like part 32 and extending downwardly therefrom and at an angle thereto is a leg portion 36. Formed on the lower end of leg portion 35 in a generally rectangular block-like part 31 which, as shown in Figure 5, has formed in the lateral face 38 thereof a vertical groove or concave recess 39.

Rigidly ailixed to the body portion 3| is a usual die unit or die button [2. Die button l2 comprises a body portion 42 having an outwardly directed flange 43 at its upper end. Provided in the upper end of body portion 42 is an axially extending annular recess 44, the opening 45 to which is chamfered to compensate for any misalignment of plunger I6 which is adapted to be slidably received by recess 44 to efiect engagement between the plunger l6 and the button l2 whereby the former in its downward movement carries the latter with it. The body portion 42 is of generally cylindrical conformation and is adapted to be disposed in vertical groove 39 and securely mounted upon block-like part 31 as by brazing.

Extending upwardly from the bottom face 46 of the body portion 42 of die button I2 is an axial bore 41 which cooperates with the punch 23 of tool arrangement l8 to effect the perforation of the work-piece l1 and upwardly through which bore pass the punchings or slugs removed from the work-piece by the piercing punch 23. The axial bore 41 connects with a transverse bore 48 which latter bore passes at right angles to bore 41 and extends completely through the body portion 42.

The slugs or punchings passed through axial bore 4! enter transverse bore 48 and are removed therefrom by way of the passage 5| provided in unitary body portion 3|. Passage 5| comprises a horizontal annular bore 52 which extends through the upper block-like part 32 and connects to a continuous annular bore 53 extending the length of leg portion 36. The lower end of continuous bore 53 communicates with a horizontal annular bore 54 in the lower block-like part 31, and the latter bore 54 opens into the transverse bore 43 in die button I2.

To drag or pull the slugs or punchings punched by lower plunger 23 from the die button I2 there is provided in upper block 32 adjacent horizontal bore 52 means for creating a suction force which acts within passage 5!. These means include a cylindrical or tubular member 55 which is inserted through. an opening in forward wall 56 of the body portion 35 to lie disposed in bore 52 and coaxially aligned therewith, and which member 55 is rigidly held in place as by welding. The tubular member 55 has a longitudinal bore 51 arceegcso:

'Into a suitable "opening in the side wa1l-53 of upper blo'ck' 32is inserted a usual fitting ".64 by means of which'airunder pressure, from a suitable source not shown, may be introduced into bore 52. The fitting '5 opens into bore 52 adjacent'themouth'58 of tubularmernber 55 so that uponthe directing of a blast of air across the mouth-58 air isaspirated from bore 'lto create a suction-force acting in bore 51 andthe connecting bores 53 and'M to die" button 12. This suction force-isadapted-to draw the slugs or punchings from transverse bore 43 in die button #2 up th-rough'the bore 53 in leg portion 36- and through tubular member55 to be ejected out the opening 59 of horizontal bore 52 to be collected in suitable manner.

-Die-assembly H is affixed to a reciprocating shaft 35 provided by the punching and riveting machine It]. The shaft 65 as best shown in Figures 3,-6 and -7 comprises a cylindrical portion 56 and a generally rectangular portion 3? disposed between an upper annular flange 63 and an annular flange 69 located at'the lower end of the shaft 65. The rectangular portion ill of shaft 65 is'adapte'd to be closely received by slot 34 in block 32 to dispose the annular flanges 65 and 63 on either side of the block 32. The rectangular portion 61 .and the flanges 68 and 69 .serve to prevent any sidewise orltilting movements of the die assembly H relativeito shaft 65.

To prevent the block 32 from inadvertently slipping or being disengaged from the end of shaft'65' there is carried by the block'SZ a spring biased locking pin ll suitably mounted in a recessin block 32. The locking pin TI is adaptedto be received by an opening '52 drilled. in upper annular flange 58 when the block 32 has been fitted upon the rectangular portion 6.1 and thereby prevents removal of the die assembly I! from shaft 65 until pin TI is made to move out of the opening -I2 by the use of an appropriate tool.

In the operation of the invention the die assembly H is attached to the end of vits reciprocating-:shaftdi5 in the manner described and the die button 12 is positioned-belowthe plunger 16.,

An air line, not-shown,: is connected to fitting 64. With rectilinear movementof the plunger It, the end of plunger 56 enters recess 44 in die button I2 and bottoms therein to effect engagement between the plunger Hi and the die assembly il whereby the former can effect movement of the dieassembly H downwardly and upon the Workpiece H where the die button l2 can cooperate with the punch 23 to pierce the work-piece to provide a rivet receiving perforation. The slug or disc effected by the piercing operation will be drawn by suction force through transverse bore 48 into :aligned communicating bore 54 and then upwardly through vbore 53 to be passed through tubular member 55 and out of the die assembly I I by way of the opening 59. The rivet holding assembly' l3 while the perforating operation is occurring accepts a rivet from the rivet tube in readiness for the'next operation. The plunger [.6 afterthe perforating operation returns to its upper position as ideas": the "die 'asseinbly I I under the -action of suitable *means, not-=shown, provided'by the' machine-tll. Die -assembly II-aiid rivet holding 1 assembly 43 then exchan'ge places and plunger l 6- on i-ts next downward movement carries the rivet holding assembly 1 3 with it effect the riveting operation.

Figure 8 illustrates amodifie'd "form of die assembly "'l'3. 'In this -modification the die assembly has a general'ly z-shaped body portion similar to body portion"3l'of 'd-i'eassenibly H- 'but will-'differ therefrom' in that'the die portion is'formed integral with'the inclined leg "7-5 rather thanincluding a die button such as 12 which-is welded inposi'tion. As-shown in Figure 8 the die portion (4 has a recess or well 16in its upper en'd for the reception or the plunger l6'whereby downward movement of the die assembly may "be effected. 'An'axialbore 11 leads upwardly from thebottom surface o'f-dieportion M andc'onnects to'a transverse bore'*'l8 which in turn communicates'with a passage 19 in inclined leg l5 to afford the escape route for'the slugs punched out of the workpiece. "Itisunderstoo'd that the aspirating means for providingthe suction force for 'fiecting ejection of the slugsis similarto" that utilized in the first embodimentan'd will include a tubular member similar to tubular member "55' across the mouth of which air is directed through afitting such as fitting 64.

The die portion 14" has a 'forward'lateral face-3 I which is a plane surface. It should'be noted that the distance between this fiat outer surface and the interior wall surfaceof the recess lfi'is much less than that within the'exteri'or 'wall surface of 'body portion 42*of die button l2 and theinterior'wall surface "of its'recess id. Possessionof a flat surface 8l' located as described enables'the' die assembly to bemoved'closer to any'upstan'ding wall surface" that may exist on work-piecesthan could a die assembly'having a conventional die button such as die button I2 with its upper flange 43 and relatively enlarged'c'ylindrical body 42.

The die assembly 13in operation will be engaged by plunger l6 to effect downward movement thereof to carry'itto the work-piece to coact with the punch 23 to effect the piercing operation.

While certainpreferred embodiments of the" invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent tothose skilled .in the art and the invention is to be given its" broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

.I claim:

'1. A perforatingunit' for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with 'the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a body member having a mounting portion whereby it may be secured'to the'punching machine, a die means provided on'said 'biody'memb'er, said die means having an axial bore therein and a transversebore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said mounting portion'having a bore therein, said body member having'a passageway interconnecting said bore in said mounting portion with said'transverse and axial bores in said die means, and aspirating means carried by said body member and connected-to said bore in said mounting portionto'effe'ctd-ischargeof punchings from the body member.

2. A perforating unit for use in connection- With a punching machine havinga punchto cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a body member having a mountin portion whereby it may be secured to the punching machine and a supporting portion, a die member carried by said supporting portion, said die member having an axial bore therein and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said mounting portion having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said mounting portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die member, and aspirating means carried by said body member and connected to said bore in said mounting portion to effect discharge of punchings from the body member.

3. A perforatin unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped body member having an upper portion adapted to be secured to the punching machine, said body member being provided with a die portion having a work engaging face, said die portion having an axial bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said upper portion having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said upper portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die portion and aspirating means carried by said body member within said upper portion to eifect discharge of punchings from the body member.

4. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped member having a slotted upper portion whereby it may be secured to the punching machine, a die member carried by a lower portion of the body member, said die member having an axial bore therein and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said upper portion having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said upper portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die member, and aspirating means carried by said body member to effect discharge of punchings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member having an opening in the wall thereof in communication with said passageway.

5. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped body member having a generally rectangular upper portion with a vertical slot therein whereby the body member may be secured to the punching machine, said body member having a generally rectangular lower portion and a leg portion interconnecting said upper and lower portions, a die portion on the lower rectangular portion, a work engaging face on said die portion, said die portion having an axial bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said uppe portion having a bore therein, said interconnecting leg portion having a passageway therethrough joining said bore in said upper portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die portion, and aspirating means carried by said body member to effect discharge of punchings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member disposed within said bore in said upper portion having an opening in the wall thereof in communication with said passageway in said interconnecting leg portion.

6. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a body member having a mounting portion whereby it may be carried by the punching machine, locking means provided by said mounting portion to maintain said body member in mounted position on said punching machine, said die portion having an axial bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said mounting portion having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said mounting portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die member, and aspirating means carried by said body memher to effect discharge of punchings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member disposed within said bore in said mounting portion and communicating with said passageway in said body member.

7. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped unitary body member having a generally rectangular horizontally directed mounting portion whereby it may be mounted upon the punching machine, locking means provided by said mounting portion to maintain said body member in mounted position on said punching machine, said body member having a generally rectangular horizontally directed supporting portion and an inclined portion interconnecting said mounting and supporting portions, a die member carried by said supporting portion, a work engaging face on said die portion, said die mem ber having an axial bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said axial bore, said mounting portion having a bore therein, said inclined portion having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said mounting portion with said transverse and axial bores in said die member, and aspirating means carried by said body member to effect discharge of punch ings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member disposed within said bore in said mounting portion and having an opening in the wall thereof communieating with said passageway in said inclined portion of the body member.

8. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine providing a punch to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped body member having a generally rectangular horizontally directed mounting portion with a vertical slot therein whereby the body member may be secured to the punching machine, said body member having a die portion integral therewith and a leg portion interconnecting said mounting portion and said die portion, a work engaging face on said die portion, a flat vertical face provided on said die portion, said die portion having a vertical bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said vertical bore,

said mounting portion having a bore therein, said interconnecting leg portion having a passageway therethrough joining said bore in said mounting portion with said transverse and vertical bores in said die portion, and aspirating means carried by said body member to effect discharge of punchings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member disposed within said said bore in said mounting portion in coaxial alignment therewith and having an opening in the wall thereof in communication with said passageway in said interconnecting leg portion.

9. A perforating unit for use in connection with a punching machine having a punch which is adapted to cooperate with the perforating unit to perform hole forming operations, comprising a generally Z-shaped unitary body member having a generally rectangular horizontally directed mounting portion with a vertical slot therein whereby the body member may be secured to the punching machine, spring biased locking means carried by said mounting portion for retaining said body member in mounted position on said punching machine, said body member having a die portion and an inclined leg portion, which latter portion interconnects said die portion and said mounting portion and is integral therewith, a work engaging face on said die portion at one end thereof, said die portion having a vertical bore therein terminating in said work engaging face and a transverse bore therethrough in communication with said vertical bore, said die portion having a second vertical bore extending inwardly from the upper end thereof for the reception of an actuating tool, said mounting portion having a bore therein, said inclined leg portion having a passageway interconnecting said bore in said mounting portion with said transverse bore and said first vertical bore in said die member, aspirating means carried by said body member to effect discharge of punchings from the body member, said aspirating means comprising a tubular member disposed within said bore in said mounting portion in coaxial alignment therewith and having an opening in the wall thereof in communication with said passageway in said inclined leg portion and through which tubular member the punchings are adapted to pass on ejection from the body member, and a fitting mounted on said mounting portion and adjacent theopening of said tubular means for introducing air thereacross.

FRANK A. BOYLE.

No references cited. 

